Thread: toning for class

I have been amidst losing weight for awhile now...and overall have lost about 30 pounds and have a little more to go.

I feel like I have it pretty much down and I've been losing pretty consistently, but I'm curious what others' do when trying to shed some pounds?

I eat the right amount of calories, low fat, and exercise about 5 days a week for about an hour w/ a mix of cardio, weight&strength training and some stretching afterwards.

Is there a particular type of exercise that is good for belly dancers? I used to do pilates and thought those were pretty good for toning the core area...what are some good pilate dvds?

I guess the reason I ask is because I want to get more out of my workouts and out of my regular weight-loss for when I start my actual in-studio belly dance instruction next month! Just a lil' self-concious I s'pose..l;,

wow, 30 pounds! congratulations on loosing so much weight. Don't be self concious about your dance class next month. Most dancers are real women with real curves.

If you're in class, most people will be focused on getting a move right and following the teacher instead of comparing sizes. Don't be afraid and have fun! A few years ago I couldn't help but look at a classmate when we were doing maya's and such. She was a pretty large woman too, and the moves looked so fabulous on her that I couldn't help but watch her!

I've lost very little but because I am concerned that after dancing 5 hours a week, I am not really working and toning that upper torso. I have "Dancers' Body" and "Dancers' Arms" and work in the morning with those little half
kil(ler)o weights and have an abs trainer. Dear Me what fun. I enjoy watching the DVD though.

Personally the most pleasantly toning exercise I know is belly dancing.

Originally Posted by lizajuk

I've lost very little but because I am concerned that after dancing 5 hours a week, I am not really working and toning that upper torso. I have "Dancers' Body" and "Dancers' Arms" and work in the morning with those little half
kil(ler)o weights and have an abs trainer. Dear Me what fun. I enjoy watching the DVD though.

If you want to tone your triceps, shoulders, and upper back, there is nothing better than swimming. I've been swimming 3 times a week for the past couple of weeks and it has already made a huge difference in both the shape of my arms and my stamina for holding them up.

Originally Posted by mekyria

wow, 30 pounds! congratulations on loosing so much weight. Don't be self concious about your dance class next month. Most dancers are real women with real curves.

If you're in class, most people will be focused on getting a move right and following the teacher instead of comparing sizes. Don't be afraid and have fun! A few years ago I couldn't help but look at a classmate when we were doing maya's and such. She was a pretty large woman too, and the moves looked so fabulous on her that I couldn't help but watch her!

thank you! actually I weighed-in again yesterday and I have lost another 5 pounds *woohoo* I actually thought I had gained...so verry happy with that :) going for another 10 before I start classes...should be able to do it healthfully in the time I have :D

thanks for the support...I'll try to not be so self soncious when I start classes...it's also to do with that I have never in my life taken any sort of dance class...I think a lot of this anxiety will diminish as I get used to going to class and make friends and all that :) ....I'm excited to be doing something out of my comfort zone b/c I reeeeally want to learn how to belly dance w/ an instructor!!

Hassmysteria, I promise you the typical bellydance class is filled to the brim with people who've never taken a dance class before. I'd say 95% of my students have never taken a dance class. Of the rest, 4% haven't taken one since they were 10 and don't remember much. That leaves 1% of students with any kind of dance background -- AND that might be exaggerating, even.

There are exceptions, of course. A brand new class in a dance studio might attract some curious ballerinas at first.

Perhaps 50% of my students would consider themselves middle aged and overweight as well. Not all of those go on to more advanced levels, not all of them are interested in putting on a costume and performing (though plenty do!)

Echoing what Lauren said. I think you'll find bellydance classes (esp. beginning classes) full of differing shapes, sizes, fitness levels, and dance ability. With a larger percentage being on the "softer" side, with less dance experience. You sound like you've been working really hard, I admire you! I'm sure you're ready already! :)

Originally Posted by antimony

If you want to tone your triceps, shoulders, and upper back, there is nothing better than swimming. I've been swimming 3 times a week for the past couple of weeks and it has already made a huge difference in both the shape of my arms and my stamina for holding them up.

I have a problem there..I er...swim about as successfully as a stone.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Hassmysteria, I promise you the typical bellydance class is filled to the brim with people who've never taken a dance class before. I'd say 95% of my students have never taken a dance class. Of the rest, 4% haven't taken one since they were 10 and don't remember much. That leaves 1% of students with any kind of dance background -- AND that might be exaggerating, even.

There are exceptions, of course. A brand new class in a dance studio might attract some curious ballerinas at first.

Perhaps 50% of my students would consider themselves middle aged and overweight as well. Not all of those go on to more advanced levels, not all of them are interested in putting on a costume and performing (though plenty do!)

well I wouldn't say I'm middle-aged..I'm 21....but a little on the softer side for sure :) getting rid of the overweight side of things....much of the time I don't understand my actual weight b/c most of my jiggly parts stay "in place" but are still jiggle *laughs*

one thing that I cannot stand is that I used to have lots of stretchmarks on my stomach and sides...and I still have one or two that are more visible and the rest are pretty much faded and most don't even notice them...but I notice them and want them to fade as much as humanly possible....I'm hoping they will continue to shrink and fade as I lose more weight

we will see

thanks for all the support and kind words :)

Originally Posted by joanneraks

Echoing what Lauren said. I think you'll find bellydance classes (esp. beginning classes) full of differing shapes, sizes, fitness levels, and dance ability. With a larger percentage being on the "softer" side, with less dance experience. You sound like you've been working really hard, I admire you! I'm sure you're ready already! :)

thank you! :) I didn't think it was going to be possible for me to lose weight...kinda thought I was cursed :P but just keeping consistent no matter how long it's seemed to take really yielded some good results! I think right now I'm in my weight-loss "zone" and after the next 6 months I think I may eventually hit a plateau...but for now I am sooo excited *plus I quit smoking too!!!*

thanks for the kind words! :) I'm going to start the classes mid-July :D

Good on you and welcome to the wonderful world of bellydancing!

I think several things may surprise you.

A lot of students are over/underweight and even some oddly shaped, they have stretch marks, cellulite, loose skin, wrinkles and lot's a bouncy fat (oh how I'd like to have my fat still be bouncy LOL) and ya know, for the most part, they are still beautiful, if flawed, because they are having a good time and they are working on something worthwhile.

You'll also find that most of the time in class the majority are covered except when they really need to see.

I think you'll find it a very good atmosphere ;~)

thanks for the encouragement!! I am definately going to take classes whether my fat bounces or not *laughs* and I agree that going out there and doing it anyways does say alot about a person :)